Champions Barcelona go to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday reeling after midfield Gavi’s devastating cruciate ligament damage, which is about to rule him out for the remainder of the season. Coach Xavi Hernandez has referred to as the 19-year-old the “soul” of the group on a number of events and his tenacity shall be badly missed with the Catalans already struggling for type. The journey to Rayo’s Vallecas stadium begins a tricky run of fixtures for third-placed Barca, 4 factors behind leaders Girona on the high of La Liga.
Barca host Porto on Tuesday trying to declare Champions League final 16 qualification, earlier than welcoming Atletico Madrid after which Girona in key home clashes.
“It is an unlucky damage, the essential factor is he recovers as a result of Gavi has an enormous current and a good larger future,” Barca president Joan Laporta stated on Thursday.
“The membership is by his aspect for no matter is critical.”
Sporting director Deco stated Barcelona couldn’t discover an alternative choice to the midfielder within the winter switch window.
“We’re actually unhappy about Gavi’s damage, I’ve stated … that I believe that Gavi is irreplacable,” he defined.
“We can’t discover any participant like him and in order that’s why it isn’t really easy.”
Barcelona have been ravaged by accidents in current weeks however Gavi’s problem is probably the most extreme and an enormous absence for the membership to handle by way of depth and urgent.
Gavi was suspended for Barca’s final match earlier than the worldwide break, a lucky 2-1 dwelling win over Alaves, and the group badly missed him, turning providing an insipid show.
Frenkie de Jong returned to coaching this week and could also be able to play after an ankle sprain has stored him out since mid-September, however goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a doubt.
Barcelona will want the Dutchman, summer time arrival from Manchester Metropolis Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri, freshly again from an damage layoff himself to step up and muster up a minimum of a few of the vitality Gavi presents.
Francisco’s Rayo Vallecano generally is a powerful nut to crack, as Actual Madrid present in a irritating 0-0 draw in opposition to their metropolis rivals earlier in November.
Rayo additionally got here near taking factors off shock bundle Girona however fell to a 2-1 defeat by Michel’s shock leaders.
Girona host Athletic Bilbao on Monday, trying to a minimum of protect their two-point lead on second-place Actual Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect, additionally beset by accidents, go to Cadiz on Sunday.
Actual Madrid had been dealt unhealthy blows by Eduardo Camavinga’s personal knee ligament tear whereas with France, becoming a member of long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, and Vinicius Junior’s hamstring damage.
With Spain’s high two struggling, Girona and Atletico Madrid, fourth, will look to pile on the stress.
Participant to observe: Artem Dovbyk
The Girona striker has hit his stride and has netted seven objectives this season. The Ukrainian goal man will do battle with Athletic Bilbao’s defence on Monday wanting so as to add to his tally and preserve his group defying expectations on the high of the desk.
Key stats
7 – Powerful tackling Getafe defender Djene Dakonam has probably the most bookings within the league
21 – Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza has made extra possibilities than some other defender in La Liga
41 – Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo leads the pictures charts and Los Blancos will want him to contribute objectives in Vinicius’s absence.
Fixtures
Friday
Alaves v Granada (2000)
Saturday
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona (1300), Valencia v Celta Vigo (1515), Getafe v Almeria (1730), Atletico Madrid v Actual Mallorca (2000)
Sunday
Villarreal v Osasuna (1400), Actual Sociedad v Sevilla (1515), Cadiz v Actual Madrid (1730), Actual Betis v Las Palmas (2000)
Monday
Girona v Athletic Bilbao (2000)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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